Havertz Haunts Former Club as Arsenal March to Wembley

Arsenal are heading back to Wembley after edging Chelsea 1-0 on the night to complete a 4-2 aggregate win in the EFL Cup semi-final, with Kai Havertz delivering the decisive blow deep into stoppage time against his former club.

The second leg was never a game for the purists. Chances were scarce, the tempo cautious, and both sides appeared locked in a tactical stalemate for long spells. Arsenal, holding a narrow advantage from the first leg, were content to stay compact and disciplined, while Chelsea focused on staying in the tie before unleashing their attacking options late on.

Chelsea’s game plan nearly worked. They kept Arsenal at arm’s length for much of the night, limited clear chances, and gradually committed more bodies forward as the clock ticked down. With six minutes of added time announced, the visitors pushed almost everyone into Arsenal territory, chasing the goal that would have forced extra time.

That gamble proved fatal.

In the 97th minute, Arsenal sprang forward on the counter. Declan Rice carried the ball out of danger and produced a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Havertz. The German showed composure beyond the chaos of the moment, rounding the goalkeeper before calmly rolling the ball into the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations inside the Emirates.

It was a cruel end for Chelsea, who had thrown everything at Arsenal in the closing stages, but it summed up the Gunners’ night. They were not spectacular, but they were resilient, organised, and ruthlessly efficient when it mattered most. The underlying numbers reflected the story of the match, with both teams posting modest attacking output, yet Arsenal found the one moment that decided the tie.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now won both legs of the semi-final and remain firmly on course in multiple competitions this season. It is their first EFL Cup final appearance since 2018, and they will now head to Wembley with belief that silverware is within reach for the first time in this competition since 1993.

For Chelsea, it was a night of frustration. The plan to keep the contest alive until the final moments was sound, but the lack of a cutting edge and one lapse in transition cost them dearly. Their wait for another EFL Cup final goes on.

For Arsenal, the job is done. Wembley awaits, and one more hurdle stands between them and lifting the EFL Cup once again.